DEEP IN SLEEP WHILE ALLAAH CALLS

One of the mistakes people make in mosques is to stay at the back of the mosque chatting while the Imaam is reciting Takbeeratul lhraam. This is indeed an act of disrespect for the purpose of attending the mosque. When asked about those who do such a thing, Imaam Maalik said: I believe they should stop talking when the Imaam recites Takbeeratul lhraam. It is worth mentioning here that talking with others on good subjects in the mosque is not forbidden in Islaam provided that this talk does not cause inconvenience for those who are in the mosque, nor distract those who talk from performing Salaah with the Imaam. As for the hadeeth that states: Talking in the mosque, even in good things, consumes the hasanaat [ones rewards for good deeds) as fire consumes fuel wood, it is forged.

It is proofed that the Sahaabah (Companions [RA)) used to talk in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the mosque about things they used to do in their Jaahiliyyah and laugh, and he (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to smile. This indicates that talking and laughing about lawful things in the mosque is permissible. Simaak Ibn Harb said: I asked Jaabir Ibn Samurah (RA): Did you use to sit with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) frequently? He answered in the affirmative and said: He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) used to sit in his praying place from dawn Salaah till the sun rises, then leaves. During his stay in the mosque, the Sahaabah (RA) used to talk about things they used to do in their Jaahiliyyah and laugh and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would smile. [Muslim)

However, sitting in the mosque should preferably be dedicated to doing Salaah, reciting Quraan and remembrances, contemplation and teaching provided that no disturbance or inconvenience is caused to others. Ibn Umar (RA) related this meaning from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to have said: "Do not take the mosques as places for your counsels unless you want to perform Salaah or recite Dhikr in them."[Tabaraanee)

Abu Saeed narrated a similar hadeeth; the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Each of you remembers AIlaah [in his own way), so do not disturb one another, nor raise your voices when reciting Quraan (in another narration) when doing Salaah. "[Abu Dawud)

Ibn Masud also narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: At the end of Time, there would be people who would sit in the mosques in groups talking about mundane things only; do not join them for AIlaah is in no need in them [i.e. they will never be rewarded for attending the mosque)."[Ibn Hibbaan)

The aforementioned hadeeth states: the prohibition of sitting in the mosques in groups in order to discuss mundane things and the affairs of other people only. The mosque should be purified from all things done in places such as cafes such as smoking which pollute the atmosphere of the mosque with bad smells. It should not also be turned into a museum or a gallery to be attended by those who enter it just for fun. It should also be purified from those Sufis who sing poems using their tambourines, dancing and causing inconvenience for those who are doing their Salaah. It should also be purified from those beggars who take mosques as places from which they earn their living.